You Don't Need a Real Estate Training Degree to Buy a House!

There are so many so called self proclaimed "experts"be submitted along with your offer to purchase or
out there today that the first time home buyer can feelcontract of sale.
quite overwhelmed, confused and frustrated even* Now that the price range is determined as to what is
before they have stepped foot into their first house.affordable, the next step would be searching the
Some might start shouting "just shut up and buy theinternet for homes. That's assuming the area in which
house" to each other, yes, things can get out of handthe person wants to live has already been
sometimes, but with a little patience and a littlepredetermined. Once a few homes are chosen to see
education ahead of time, it can be the most excitingcall a local Realtor and ask them to check the
and wonderful time in a person's life.availability of the homes chosen. Be wary of a real
To keep the process as simple as possible, there areestate agent that tries to persuade you to see a
a few steps that can be taken in preparation for thehome that doesn't appeal to you. If they show you
home buying process that will leave the first timesomething that appeals to you by all means go see
home buyer feeling a lot less stressed and a lot morethe house but a pushy agent that wants to show you
educated. With knowledge brings confidence and aa home that you don't really think you will like just say
confident and educated buyer is a happy andno! Chances are they are choosing that home with
successful one!their own intentions in mind, perhaps the house offers a
Here are a few steps and strategies a new homebuyer's agent incentive or a higher commission rate,
buyer can use to help ease the stress of their homethat is not your concern nor should it be theirs. Your
purchase:needs come first, not theirs.
* Check your own credit report. Your credit will be* Ask the real estate agent to walk you through the
checked by the mortgage broker when the timehome buying process. There are things the real estate
comes to pre approve you, however, it is a good ideaagent will talk to you about that your mortgage broker
to check your own credit before hand, just in casemay not. Things like timely escrow payments and
there is anything showing on the report you do nothome inspections, attorney review periods, etc. typically
agree with, you can contact the credit bureau thatmay not come up in the meeting with the mortgage
shows the report and try to get it straightened outbroker, but these things mentioned should be run
ahead of time.through with the home buyer so they know what to
* Talk to a mortgage representative. If planning onexpect during the transaction.
obtaining a mortgage to purchase a home, the first and* When the home is found and an offer is about to be
most logical step to take is to find out how much of adrafted, it is a good idea to get in touch with an
mortgage can be afforded. Too many times a buyerattorney at that time. Make sure they are taking new
thinks they know what they can afford, they find aclients and ask them what their fee is for handling a
home they love, only to come to find out that they arebuyer real estate transaction. Watch out for attorney's
unable to afford the mortgage payments. Thethat are not practicing real estate as their primary field.
mortgage representative will not only be able toA trial attorney that is hired to do a real estate
determine how much of a mortgage is suitable to yourtransaction could wind up not being available to close
income, they will be able to then determine what pricethe home and that could delay the closing, not to
range you will be safe looking in. So if a person thoughtmention expire the mortgage commitment date. Stick
they could afford the four bedroom colonial down thewith a fixed rate residential real estate attorney when
street, but then come to find they can only afford theat all possible.
2 bedroom ranch, at least they found out immediatelyDon't be afraid to ask questions. You have an
instead of setting themselves up for disappointment.inspector, mortgage broker, real estate agent and
Have the mortgage broker pre approve you, NOT preattorney all working for you. Ask questions as you go
qualify you. There is a difference and a pre approvalalong so by the time you get the keys to your new
will hold water and will usually be needed anyway tohome you will feel like an expert!